Being a Single Mom Coping W/ Adhd and Raising a Child

Hi A. my names S. and as i cant telll you how to deal with ADHD i can tell you that you and i are not that different. I have Bi-Polar disorder. I have mood swings.
And the only way i make it is by talking with someone at least once a month, a life skills coach. Try to find a life skills coach in your area. And the most important thing is to be okay with your disorder. And take ONE DAY AT A TIME. Dont exert yourself. If ya need anything, message me, lets talk..

Hi A.!
I am a single mom of 3, full time day care teacher, and full time college student. It is not easy but we all do what we have to to keep our families running. Fortunate for you, you have your boyfriend and his parents to help out and your mom too. I dont have any of that...it is just me and the kids.

I make sure that everyone is on a schedule! That is the most important thing. I use a calander on my fridge to write down important information (test dates for me and the kids, dr appointment, days off from work and school, boy scout/girl scout meeting, and anything else that happens to come up). When you write out your schedule, make sure you include a few minutes to look over your calander each night, this way you know what is going on the next day and for the remainder of the week. I also keep a folder by my bed with important info in it (bills, letters from friends, ect) so that I can look over these things at night just before I go to sleep. Having everything written down is the best thing that I have (recently) learned. I have never been good at making to do lists but I learned how when I started going back to school and let me tell you it is a life saver! Knowing what is the most important thing to get done is as easy as looking at the list since it is prioritized by importance. I usually make the list good for one week and have everything written into it.

I hope that some of this helps.

My mom was a single mom and a couple things that she did and didn't do were she never treated me like an adult, she let me be a kid. I am grateful for that now, because I was able to have fun and she didn't bog me down with problems I am sure were weighing on her mind. I know it is easy to share with your children when they are what you have, but find a friend or use your boyfriend as that buffer. It will help make a difference. Second she always made time for me. She would let me sleep at my grandparents once a week, and I found out later that she actually went to work and finished up what she needed to do while she was coming to my plays, and volleyball games I didn't know that til I was in college and it made me admire her even more. Just be strong for your kids. If you believe in God and have faith rely on Him, He is the only one that can successfully carry you through and give you that kind of strength. Good luck to you.

I don't know if you have tried any medication or if you can afford it. My 10 year old daughter uses Concerta during the school years so she can learn at school. She hates it, but so far that is the only way she can focus. I myself am a single parent and find it is a very lonely and challenging job. Good Luck!

Hey A.,

I am a single mom to two girls ages 5 and 1.5 and I also have ADHD. The first thing I did was get on medicine, my doctor prescribed Concerta, it's not one that can make you feel funny like Ritalin, in fact the first the first month I was on it I didn't think it was doing anything until my co-workers would jokingly ask if I had taken my medicine that day. I sympathize with you trying to juggle all the things you have to do, the one thing you need to make sure you do is take some time to your self, even if it is only one hour a week. Otherwise you will end up even more frustrated. I stick to a pretty normal routine with them. I make sure that they go to bed at 830 and sadly I'm usually right there with them. Except on Friday's, my mom and dad watch them overnight and that is my time. Even if I spend it watching anything but cartoons I'm happy and then I have my whole bed to myself! Sometimes I go out with friends too. If you ever need anything let me know!